Where is Bek Sabur? Why is the head of the Communications Service not participating in the press conference?

On July 28, a press conference was held by the Communications Service under the Government of Tajikistan in Dushanbe. At this press conference, as well as at the previous one, the head of the Communications Service, Bek Sabur, the president’s relative, was absent.

The deputy head of the Communications Service of Tajikistan, Ilkhom Atoev, answered journalists’ questions at the press conference.

The deputy head of the Communications Service emphasized in his report that starting from August 1, 2023, payments for utilities, taxes, state duties, fines, and other types of government services will only be possible in cashless form.

Journalists asked the deputy head of the Communications Service why, despite the president’s instruction to provide the population of Tajikistan with high-speed and affordable internet, this issue has still not been resolved. Ilkhom Atoev did not provide clear answers and tried to evade the question. He reported that to improve internet quality, the Communications Service has installed 443 base stations supporting 3G and 4G, and 20 new 3G and 4G bases have been installed in Dushanbe.

Ilkhom Atoev claims that the quality of the internet has improved; however, social media users deny these statements and assert that neither has the internet become faster nor have prices decreased.

When journalists asked why the head of the Communications Service, Bek Sabur, does not participate in the press conference and does not answer journalists’ questions, Atoev replied that he is at a meeting of the Government of Tajikistan, which is why he could not attend the press conference.

However, Bek Sabur has not appeared at press conferences of his agency for several years and does not communicate with journalists.

Some believe that the reason for Bek Sabur’s absence is that he speaks rudely to journalists or gives incoherent answers to questions, resulting in criticism from the public and social media users.